Frank O'Connor Interview - Talks Halo Legends, J-Spec and Seraphim Digital

Frank O'Connor has long been a recognized name with gamers due to the popularity of the Halo video games, but more recently with anime fans as well because of the upcoming release of Halo Legends. Frank O'Connor is a development Director at Microsoft 343 Industries, a unit within Microsoft Game Studios that is responsible for the Halo franchise. O'Connor is at the core of the Halo Legends project with his involvement in the direction, script writing and working directly with the various involved Japanese studios.

With the imminent February 16 release of Halo Legends, SXAniMedia had the opportunity to catch up with Frank O'Connor for an exclusive and anime-slanted interview to discuss Halo Legends, as well as the involvement of J-Spec Pictures and Seraphim Digital (formerly ADV Studios/Amusement Park Media).


Let's start with some basics for those who aren't familiar with you. Could you describe your involvement with the Halo franchise, and specifically, Halo Legends?

Frank O'Connor:
I'm credited as the "Anthology Director" which basically means everything from coordinating studios to, in some cases, writing entire scripts. It's safe to say that I served a slightly different role on each episode - and couldn't have done any of it without the support and insight of our partners at J-Spec, and the folks back here on what we called internally the "Northstar" team, which was the codename we chose in deference to Fist of the Northstar, my all time favorite anime/manga series.

You decided to go with anime vs traditional animation - Why? Are you happy with the decision?

Frank O'Connor:
We have a lot of anime fans. Anime has a lot of talent and we wanted to see a real interpretation, rather than a literal take on the franchise.

Speaking of anime, do you have any favorite anime TV series or films?

Frank O'Connor:
Well, Hokuto No Ken of course, but I love a wide range of stuff - from Grave of the Fireflies, to Spirited Away.  I prefer movies to TV series, but obviously stuff like Cowboy Bebop and really, too many to mention. The first I ever watched was amazingly enough in a small theater in Eyemouth, Scotland - it was Space Battleship Yamato. I was hooked. I still have no idea how it ended up in that theater. 

Microsoft's 343 Industries have assembled the dream team of anime production with icons like Shinji Aramaki and Mamoru Oshii. How difficult was it to assemble all these studios and various acclaimed talents?

Frank O'Connor:
I'd love to tell you it was a heroic struggle, but it actually all happened very smoothly and easily - again thanks to J-Spec understanding the navigation of the industry - and folks like Mr. Aramaki who know literally everyone and can function as diplomats as well as outstanding creatives. 

For those who aren't familiar with the Halo videogames or the franchise storyline, do you feel Halo Legends is something that can be enjoyed by casual anime or animation fans?

Frank O'Connor:
Yes. Halo Legends was designed to be both deep and simple to understand. In a lot of ways it's easier to grasp than a game, which involves significantly more investment of time and effort by the "viewer" to get the whole story. These are short, simple and easy to digest. 

How did Joseph Chou get involved in the production process?

Frank O'Connor:
We asked him, he said yes. 

Joseph Chou worked with Seraphim Digital Studios, a studio with a long history of producing dubs for Anime and videogames (such as Appleseed Ex Machina). Do you or Microsoft have any plans to work with that studio or Joseph Chou again?

Frank O'Connor:
We continue to have an excellent relationship with Joseph and company. 

Halo Waypoint has been instrumental in helping promote Halo Legends and vice versa. How have the sneak previews of Halo Legends been received by Xbox Live/Waypoint users? Has the demand met or exceeded your expectations?

Frank O'Connor:
The numbers exceeded our expectations - as did the kinds of conversation they started. We hope that the taste they got through Waypoint will be something that pays off handsomely in the final product. 

Are you satisfied with the concept of the seven-stories approach taken for Halo Legends? Now that this has been realized, do you have any interest in further exploring the anime medium with a new project or follow-up to Halo Legends?

Frank O'Connor:
We're taking a wait and see approach, but there are no current plans underway.

What's next for you and Microsoft 343 Industries?

Frank O'Connor:
Lots of franchise support - the main focus will be on working with Bungie to launch Halo Reach, which already looks amazing. And who knows what the future holds. 


Thanks to Mr. O'Connor for the opportunity, and special thanks to Warner Home Video and Microsoft 343 Industries.